I would say you should rejoice in the fact that you know what you want and have the drive to go for it at the point in life you are!  For me, I knew what I wanted, but I allowed environmental factors to drive me in the wrong direction until recently (I'm 35).  There were even times when I had a boat load of money sitting around and wanted to do it, but just being internally confused had me get into situations that make transitioning more difficult.  I'm still going to do my best to transition at this point, but it is so much harder now. 

Quote from: Deinewelt on February 25, 2015, 09:42:02 PM
I would say you should rejoice in the fact that you know what you want and have the drive to go for it at the point in life you are!  For me, I knew what I wanted, but I allowed environmental factors to drive me in the wrong direction until recently (I'm 35).  There were even times when I had a boat load of money sitting around and wanted to do it, but just being internally confused had me get into situations that make transitioning more difficult.  I'm still going to do my best to transition at this point, but it is so much harder now. 

I often forget that I am lucky that I knew what I wanted to do at a young age. However, unfortunately,  my parents did not overly accept my wishes to transition, and definitely didn't help me to reach my goal, until after I had attempted, and almost succeeded, in taking my own life. It wasn't until I mentioned it whilst having a mandatory psych evaluation done that they really took what I was saying on board. So I guess it really comes down to a difficult decision, am I glad that I started at 16 instead of waiting until I was 18? Or was it not worth the heinous state that I was in after OD'ing.. I guess I'll never know.

Quote from: Tripdistrans on February 25, 2015, 07:36:57 PM
Jayne, by the sounds of it, I would really like to party with you, haha!

I've decided I'm probably going to be going to Melbourne for my 18th, I'm just slightly struggling in that decision still.

I'm turning into a bit of an old duffer nowadays, the last big drinking session I had was about 5yrs ago when I drank 26 pints of Guinness plus spirits, since coming out I don't feel the need to drink myself sober anymore. I'm also desperately trying to lose the beer belly.
All it takes is a pint or two now and I'm all over the place. If I drink cider however I get really silly really quickly.

Quote from: Jayne on February 26, 2015, 08:02:20 AM
I'm turning into a bit of an old duffer nowadays, the last big drinking session I had was about 5yrs ago when I drank 26 pints of Guinness plus spirits, since coming out I don't feel the need to drink myself sober anymore. I'm also desperately trying to lose the beer belly.
All it takes is a pint or two now and I'm all over the place. If I drink cider however I get really silly really quickly.

Have you noticed how you never hear the term vodka belly.. ?

Jokes aside, I feel like I'm definitely going to struggle saving my money for surgery instead of spending it all on alcohol..

QuoteJokes aside, I feel like I'm definitely going to struggle saving my money for surgery instead of spending it all on alcohol.

This may help: one effect of alcohol is to increase the level of estrogen in your system, and decrease the level of testosterone. 

And if that's not bad enough, it's liable to make you fat -- which also increases estrogen.  again.

Don't forget that whilst there is the old phrase about drowning your sorrows drinking is a really bad idea if you're depressed.

The estrogen bit is a good point.

@Tysilio
For some reason I've only ever maintained or lost weight after drinking, probably due to my strong dislike for beer.

@Jayne
After my friend moved out and his dad broke in I was drunk for a week. I file a police report, aced a job interview, and worked twice within that week. Needless to say I'm definitely at risk of alcoholism.

That being said, I am well aware of the effects of both depression and recreational substances on my rewards system, so I often try to remind myself of that.

One of the reasons I stopped drinking was because I was downing eight pints of Guinness every evening and double that on weekends. I realised that my recycling bin was filled with nothing but empty tinnies.

I've managed to fill the void in my RS with 'herbs', which is much healthier for me than alcohol. My hope is that that will ease my urge to drown my sorrows.

Quote from: Tripdistrans on February 27, 2015, 04:52:26 AM
I've managed to fill the void in my RS with 'herbs', which is much healthier for me than alcohol. My hope is that that will ease my urge to drown my sorrows.

It's better to face problems with a clear head if you can manage it, however I do understand that it's easier said than done

I think I just screwed up my life at some point and it just keeps screwing. :/

Quote from: Tripdistrans on March 02, 2015, 02:29:59 AM
I think I just screwed up my life at some point and it just keeps screwing. :/

Nope, you just sound like an average teenager/young adult. When I have an hour to spare I'll send you a pm to explain how I screwed up the first thirty years of my life, it really is a miracle I made it to twenty, me making it to thirty was more of a miracle than a burning bush that talks, me making it to today is a bigger feat than parting the red sea!!

Quote from: Jayne on March 02, 2015, 05:57:30 AM
Nope, you just sound like an average teenager/young adult. When I have an hour to spare I'll send you a pm to explain how I screwed up the first thirty years of my life, it really is a miracle I made it to twenty, me making it to thirty was more of a miracle than a burning bush that talks, me making it to today is a bigger feat than parting the red sea!!

I want to say I look forward to reading it, but that definitely comes across badly..

Okay so fun fact apparently they legit found heaps of chariots and stuff at the bottom of the red sea like nope no thanks

Quote from: Tripdistrans on March 02, 2015, 06:00:47 AM
I want to say I look forward to reading it, but that definitely comes across badly..

When you get the message make sure you're well stocked with tea/coffee (& choccy bikkies)

Quote from: Jayne on March 02, 2015, 06:08:00 AM
When you get the message make sure you're well stocked with tea/coffee (& choccy bikkies)

Unfortunately I can have none of those things, I do have water though.

I've sent you a pm to show you how I screwed up my life due to suppressed anger & self loathing, warts and all. I hope you are able to learn from my mistakes

I've a 7.5 hour shift of serving very dumb people right now, however I'll read it once I'm home.